Stellantis, has been fined for repeated air quality violations at its Warren Truck Assembly Plant (WTAP) in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued four violation notices since the plant began operations in February 2021. The plant underwent a $1.5 billion upgrade to bring the assembly of the new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer (WS) SUVs along with the Ram 1500 Classic (DS) pickups to the site.
Three of the four violations were caused by illegal levels of particulate pollution, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked to asthma, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases.
On March 20th, Stellantis and EGLE agreed on a consensus order to resolve the alleged air quality violations. The order requires Stellantis to pay a fine of $371,454, comply with emission limits, and undergo further emissions testing. The company could face a daily fine of $5,000 if it violates the order.
In a statement, Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson said, “The Company has already taken a number of necessary actions to ensure that the plant operates within the permissible limits and will continue to work with EGLE on any outstanding issues.”
WTAP employs over 4,000 people and manufactures the Jeep® Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram 1500 Classic pickups. The plant’s repeated violations underscore the need for automakers to prioritize environmental compliance and invest in sustainable manufacturing practices.
Source: The Detroit News
